Keith Combs politely replied to my email to say he wasn’t happy for putting words in his mouth, and taking him out of context.
Keith does not have a monopoly on being passionate about Windows Vista — I steadily blog and speak about adopting Windows Vista on new computers. When Windows Vista was released over a year ago, I had to give my clients choices that were fiscally sound:
- UPGRADE XP TO VISTA: Purchase Windows Vista Upgrade, Deactivate a Windows XP license, possibly purchase memory etc, and spend I.T. labor.
- PURCHASE NEW VISTA PC: Spend labor on I.T., but my client would still have a (second) working Windows XP computer! All of my clients (and other consultants I speak with) have opted for Option #2!
So to be fair to Keith: Nobody at Microsoft ever stated “Microsoft tends to think the only costs associated with upgrading to Windows Vista . . . is Windows Vista.” That was MY opinion . . . so now let’s ONLY look at Keith’s actual comments.
KEITH’S PREMISE – QUOTE FROM BLOG: Most of the customers he has talked to aren’t upgrading existing Windows XP machines to Windows Vista. Instead, they are just buying new machines with Windows Vista as the old XP machines roll off the books and are re-purposed, or die.
KEITH’S QUESTIONS: Is that accurate? Is that what you are doing?
BLAKE’S OPINION: These questions were asked a year ago, and the answer then was "Yes, this is true. We’re not upgrading, we’re purchasing new computers!"So it’s been a year later, these computers did not get upgraded at that time, and are now a year older! It is MY opinion, that Keith (or anyone at Microsoft) should NOT still be asking these same questions — they should be addressing the "answer"!I detailed what “I” thought were the hidden costs in upgrading Windows XP computers to Windows Vista. If Microsoft has a ROI Report that compares “Upgrade VS. Purchase New” it should be released.
KEITH ALSO "WONDERED" OUT LOUD: None of the security, network, search, etc. improvements warrant an upgrade of an existing machine, even with Aero glass turned off so that it performs on par or better than Windows XP?
BLAKE’S OPINION: When Windows Vista was released over a year ago, I.T. Professionals weighed the new features against the long list of "hidden" costs. These professionals were vocal they felt it made fiscal sense to wait and purchase a new computer rather than upgrade an existing Windows XP computer.
Again, it’s MY opinion, that Keith (or anyone at Microsoft) should NOT still be asking these questions. It’s been over a year, and nothing has changed! While we appreciate the wonderful new Windows Vista features on NEW computers — they still do not overcome the costs associated with upgrading an existing Windows XP computer.This didn’t make sense a year ago — and I’m (obviously) frustrated that ANYONE at Microsoft could still be asking these questions over a year later!
"Of course, that’s only my opinion. I could be wrong" – Dennis Miller
The Road to Know Where 
Must agree… I loved Vista from beginning (making more than 20 presentations about Vista Beta 2), but I bought new computer for it instead of upgrading my old one…
Martin
QUOTE FROM BLAKE: "Again, it’s MY opinion, that Keith (or anyone at Microsoft) should NOT still be asking these questions. It’s been over a year, and nothing has changed!"
Yep, everyone has an opinion. It’s my opinion that I should be allowed to ask whatever questions I like on my blog whether you think it’s a stupid idea or not. That’s what blogs are for. To create dialog. To have a conversation. To obtain information. To give information back. Here’s some.
To state nothing has changed is incredibly inaccurate. A lot has changed. We have released a number of fixes and security patches. We released SP1. The number of devices, drivers and compatible applications have grown substantially. Quoting some information on microsoft.com, “More than 11,000 hardware and software products – from printers to routers to digital cameras – now carry either the “Certified for Windows Vista” or “Works With Windows Vista” logo – an 87 percent increase since July 2005.”
This is of course your blog and you are free to say what you wish, accurate or not.
KEITH QUOTE: It’s my opinion that I should be allowed to ask whatever questions I like on my blog whether you think it’s a stupid idea or not. That’s what blogs are for. To create dialog. To have a conversation. To obtain information. To give information back.
BLAKE: Dude, I’ve never called you "stupid" or anything else like that!
Unfortunately, it doesn’t feel like a "dialog" when Microsoft repeatedly asks the same question. If Microsoft has information explaining “Upgrading Existing Windows XP Hardware to Windows Vista is Fiscally Sound” — let’s have a “dialog” about that.
But after a year has passed, “I” feel THAT conversation is over. We need to move forward and discuss how to adopt Windows Vista on new computers (alongside the Windows XP computers we’re not going to be upgrading)
Currently, some people are (dramatically) petitioning the retention of Windows XP. There are also companies saying they want to forgo upgrading to Windows Vista and wish to wait for Windows 7’s release. Let’s look to the future and try to resolve some “unanswered” questions.
I ‘m worried that you feel a “dialog” is when your point is accepted. I personally feel a “dialog” is when both parties are “heard”
Blake Handler
Microsoft MVP
"The Road to Know Where"